Peroxymonosulfate Oral Whitening Compositions

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides tooth whitening oral care compositions comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate having improved stability, and methods of using the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/293,345, filed on Dec. 23, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/293,355, filed on Dec. 23, 2021, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Consumer products providing for teeth whitening are numerous and take many forms, but one of the more popular forms are as dentifrices, such as toothpastes. Toothpastes must typically have a semisolid form, able to hold shape well enough to be dispensed from a tube and rest on toothbrush bristles, but also fluid enough to be easily squeezed from the tube. Toothpastes must also be sticky enough to adhere to some degree to the teeth, but also soluble enough to disperse in the oral cavity. These different aims are commonly satisfied by formulating toothpastes in a high-water base (e.g., 10-40% water) with a mixture of liquid polar humectants, such as glycerin, polypropylene glycol, and sorbitol. Often various polymers are used to provide the gel-like consistency that is necessary for a toothpaste.

Unfortunately, many whitening agents have stability problems in the presence of water, humectants, and some polymers. Other inorganic species, such as fluoride sources and surfactants, can also interact negatively, resulting in instability and loss of activity of the active whitening agent. It thus becomes necessary to formulate a whitening toothpaste with various ingredients intended to improve stability and activity of the whitening agent active.

Abrasives can be particularly difficult to formulate into whitening toothpastes, because of the high surface area, hygroscopicity, and acidity of many abrasives. Yet abrasives can be a critical component of a whitening composition because many stains adhere strongly but superficially to the tooth surface and an abrasive helps remove such stains both by its intrinsic abrasive action and by providing better access of the whitening agent to the stain.

Products that are presently available to whiten teeth include a variety of different ingredients, and the primary active ingredient is most commonly a peroxide source such as hydrogen peroxide. The use of peroxide agents often presents numerous difficulties in both formulation and long-term stability of the resulting compositions. In addition, in high concentrations, or in prolonged contact with the oral mucosa, hydrogen peroxide can be highly irritating to the teeth and gums. Thus, alternative oxidizing agents with improved stability are needed, especially for whitening products which provide long-term contact with oral tissues.

Peroxysulfuric acid (H₂SO₅, also known as peroxymonosulfuric acid), and its salts, the peroxymonosulfates, are powerful oxidizing and stain removing agents. They are currently used for a variety of industrial and consumer purposes, including swimming pool treatment and denture cleaning. Peroxymonosulfate salts generally have the anion [HSO₅]⁻, in contrast to the related peroxydisulfate salts which have the anion [HS₂O₈]⁻. Peroxymonosulfate whitening products have been explored for some oral care applications, including whitening strips, mouthwashes and toothpastes. One common peroxymonosulfate oxidizing agent is potassium peroxymonosulfate (KHSO₅), also referred to as potassium monoperoxysulfate, and abbreviated as KMPS or MPS, and sold as part of the compositions Oxone® and Caroat® (each of which is potassium peroxymonosulfate triple salt, having about 45-50 wt. % potassium peroxymonosulfate).

The use of potassium peroxymonosulfate in oral care applications has been very limited by its instability in aqueous solution, especially in aqueous solution near or above neutral pH. Potassium peroxymonosulfate has been known to degrade even in the presence of small quantities of water and heat. Thus, potassium peroxymonosulfate whitening compositions face particular difficulties in formulation.

Potassium peroxymonosulfate can also react and decompose when combined with other common oral care excipients, especially polar compounds, such as humectants, and anionic or neutral hydroxylic polymers and surfactants. These excipients can destabilize the potassium peroxymonosulfate, resulting in a loss of whitening efficacy. It therefore becomes necessary to adjust the formulations having potassium peroxymonosulfate to avoid or reduce the amount of such ingredients, which makes it challenging to still formulate a composition having desirable mouth feel (e.g., foaming), appearance, viscosity, and other important properties. Furthermore, potassium peroxymonosulfate can also interact negatively with any common flavoring agents, which tend to have labile or oxidizable functional groups. This can make it challenging to formulate flavors into such compositions.

There remains a need for tooth whitening dentifrice products based on peroxymonosulfate whitening agents with improved stability, mouthfeel, appearance, viscosity, flavor, and consumer acceptability.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure also provides a tooth whitening oral care composition comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate, calcium pyrophosphate (Ca₂P₂O₇) and/or insoluble sodium metaphosphate ([NaPO₃]_(n)), an anionic surfactant, and a zwitterionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the composition may further comprise a poloxamer (polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer). In further embodiments, the compositions may further comprise one or more of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol random copolymer, polyethylene glycol, alkali metal polyphosphates, cationic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants. In at least one aspect, the tooth whitening oral care compositions of the present disclosure are low water or anhydrous.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in the specification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight. The amounts given are based on the active weight of the material.

Open terms such as “include,” “including,” “contain,” “containing” and the like mean “comprising.” In this description, unless otherwise stated, the use of the singular also includes the plural. For example, “a lubricant” also comprehends the case where more than one lubricant is used.

“About” means plus or minus 20% of the stated value. Thus, for example, “about 5%” means from 80% to 120% of 5%, or 4.0% to 6.0%, inclusive of the end values of the range.

Foaming is a highly desired property of toothpaste achieved primarily by the addition of surfactants. Surfactants generate foam on agitation with water or water-based solutions, such as encountered when a person brushes their teeth with a toothpaste or gel. Most toothpastes and gels are aqueous formulations which are compatible with a wide variety of surfactants. However, because of the aforementioned reactivity and stability issues, there is a need to minimize the water content of compositions comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate. Thus, when brushing the teeth with such a composition, most of the water to generate foaming comes from the saliva. Toothpaste and gels based on such anhydrous or low-water compositions have been found to suffer from poor foaming effects using common surfactants. It is therefore challenging to select surfactants for use in oral whitening compositions comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate.

The inventors have unexpectedly discovered a synergistic effect when a combination of anionic and zwitterionic surfactant is used in an anhydrous toothpaste or gel comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate. This combination provides a toothpaste or gel with superior foaming, at least in part due to the unexpected formation of denser and smaller bubbles. This results in a rich and foamy feel, which is highly prized by consumers. In addition, this combination of surfactants does not adversely affect the stability of the MPS in the formulation.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a tooth whitening oral care composition (Composition 1) comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate, calcium pyrophosphate (Ca₂P₂O₇) and/or insoluble sodium metaphosphate ([NaPO₃]_(n)), an anionic surfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant. In further embodiments, the present disclosure provides:

-   -   1.1. Composition 1, wherein the potassium peroxymonosulfate is         provided as a triple salt of potassium peroxymonosulfate,         potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate, optionally         wherein the triple salt comprises about 45%-50% by weight of         potassium peroxymonosulfate, e.g., 47% or 49% by weight of         potassium peroxymonosulfate;     -   1.2. Composition 1 or 1.1, wherein the Composition comprises the         potassium peroxymonosulfate in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by         weight of the composition, e.g., 0.01% to 5%, or 0.05% to 5%, or         0.1% to 5%, or 0.5% to 3%, or 0.5% to 2.5%, or 0.5% to 2%, or         0.5% to 1.5%, or 0.75% to 1.25%, or 1% to 5%, or 1% to 4%, or 1%         to 3% or 1% to 2%, or 1.5% to 3%, or 2% to 3%, or 1.5% to 2%, or         2% to 2.5%, or about 0.5%, or about 1%, or about 1.5%, or about         2%, or about 2.5%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.3. Any of the preceding Compositions, wherein the inorganic         peroxymonosulfate salt is not particulated (e.g., not         granulated);     -   1.4. Any of the preceding Compositions, wherein the Composition         does not comprise hydrogen peroxide;     -   1.5. Any of the preceding Compositions, wherein the Composition         does not comprise any of hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide,         peroxide salts (e.g., sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide,         lithium peroxide, calcium peroxide), peroxy acids (e.g.,         peroxyacetic acid, peroxybenzoic acid, or salts or derivatives         thereof), organic peroxides (e.g., urea hydrogen peroxide,         glyceryl hydrogen peroxide, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides,         monoperoxyphthalate, or salt thereof), perborate salts,         persilicate salts, percarbonate salts, chlorinated oxidizing         agents (e.g., hypochlorite salts, chlorite salts, chlorate         salts, perchlorate salts, chlorine dioxide), or peroxydisulfuric         acid or peroxydisulfate salts;     -   1.6. Any of the preceding Compositions, wherein the potassium         peroxymonosulfate is the only oxidizing agent present in the         Composition;     -   1.7. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.6, wherein the composition         is stabilized by 21-60% calcium pyrophosphate (Ca₂P₂O₇) by         weight of the composition;     -   1.8. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.6, wherein the composition         is stabilized by 21-60% insoluble sodium metaphosphate         ([NaPO₃]_(n)) by weight of the composition;     -   1.9. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.6, wherein the composition         is stabilized by 21-60% calcium pyrophosphate (Ca₂P₂O₇) and         insoluble sodium metaphosphate ([NaPO₃]_(n)) by weight of the         composition;     -   1.10. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.9, wherein the Composition         comprises the calcium pyrophosphate and/or the insoluble sodium         metaphosphate in an amount of 1% to 60% by weight of the         composition, e.g., 5% to 60%, or 5% to 50%, or 10% to 60%, or         10% to 50%, or 10% to 40%, or 15% to 60%, or 15% to 40%, or 20%         to 60%, or 20% to 40%, or 21% to 40%, 22% to 40%, or 22% to 35%,         or 25% to 40%, or 25% to 35%, or 25% to 30%, or 21% to 30%, or         22% to 30%, or 22.5% to 27.5%, or 23% to 27%, or 24% to 26%, or         about 25%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.11. Composition 1, or any of 2.1-2.10, wherein the anionic         surfactant is selected from: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium         laureth sulfate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium lauroyl         sarcosinate, sodium coconut monoglyceride sulfonates, sodium         lauryl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium         N-methyl N-cocoyl taurate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium         dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and sodium cocomonoglyceride sulfate,         and ammonium analogs thereof;     -   1.12. Composition 1.11, wherein the anionic surfactant is sodium         lauryl sulfate;     -   1.13. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.12, wherein the Composition         comprises the anionic surfactant in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by         weight of the composition, e.g., 0.1% to 4%, or 0.1 to 3%, or         0.1 to 2.5%, or 0.1 to 2%, or 1 to 4%, or 2 to 4%, 1 to 3%, or 2         to 3%, or 1.5 to 2.5%, or 2 to 2.5%, or about 2%, by weight of         the composition;     -   1.14. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.13, wherein the         zwitterionic surfactant is selected from: cocamidopropyl betaine         (CAPB), cocamidopropyl sultaine, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine,         lauramidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl sultaine,         lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine, oleamidopropyl betaine,         oleamidopropyl sultaine, oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine,         tallowamideopropyl betaine, tallowamidopropyl sultaine,         tallowamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl         sultaine, lauryl hydroxysultaine, lauryldimethylamine oxide, and         myristamine oxide;     -   1.15. Composition 1.14, wherein the zwitterionic surfactant is         cocamidopropyl betaine;     -   1.16. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.15, wherein the Composition         comprises the zwitterionic surfactant in an amount of 0.1 to 5%         by weight of the composition, e.g., 0.1% to 4%, or 0.1 to 3%, or         0.1 to 2.5%, or 0.1 to 2%, or 0.1 to 1.5%, or 0.1 to 1%, or 0.1         to 0.5%, or about 0.3% or about 2%, by weight of the         composition;     -   1.17. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.16, wherein the composition         comprises 2 to 4%, or 1 to 3%, or 2 to 3%, or 1.5 to 2.5%, or 2         to 2.5%, or about 2%, of sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.1 to 1%,         or 0.1 to 0.5%, or about 0.3%, of cocamidopropyl betaine, by         weight of the composition;     -   1.18. Composition 1, or any of Compositions 1.1-1.17, wherein         the Composition comprises the anionic surfactant (e.g., sodium         lauryl sulfate) and the zwitterionic surfactant (e.g.,         cocamidopropyl betaine) in a weight ratio of about 20:1 to 1:1,         e.g., about 20:1 to 2:1, or about 15:1 to 3:1, or about 12:1 to         4:1, or about 10:1 to 5:1, or about 8:1 to 5:1, or about 7:1 to         5:1, or about 6:1;     -   1.19. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.18, wherein the composition         further comprises a poloxamer (a         polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer);     -   1.20. Composition 1.19, wherein the poloxamer has the formula

HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H,

-   -    wherein a is an integer between 1 and 30, b is an integer         between 10 and 60,     -   1.21. Composition 1.20, wherein in said formula, a is an integer         between 5 and 20, and b is an integer between 10 and 40;     -   1.22. Composition 1.20, wherein in said formula, a is an integer         between 10 and 15, and b is an integer between 10 and 20;     -   1.23. Composition 1.20, wherein in said formula, a is an integer         between 10 and 12 (e.g., 11), and b is an integer between 15 and         20 (e.g., 16);     -   1.24. Any of Compositions 1.19-1.23, wherein the         polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer has an         average molecular weight of 1000 to 7000 Daltons, e.g., 1000 to         6000 Daltons, or 1000 to 5000 Daltons, or 1000 to 4000 Daltons,         or 1000 to 3000 Daltons, or 1000 to 2000 Daltons, or 1500 to         3000 Daltons, or 1500 to 2000 Daltons, or 1800 to 2000 Daltons,         or about 1900 Daltons, optionally wherein said average molecular         weight is a number average molecular weight or a weight average         molecular weight;     -   1.25. Composition 1.24, wherein the         polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer is Pluronic         L35;     -   1.26. Any of Compositions 1.19-1.25, wherein the Composition         comprises the polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock         copolymer in an amount of 1% to 60%, or 5% to 60%, or 5% to 50%,         or 5% to 40%, or 10% to 50%, or 10% to 40%, or 15% to 50%, or         15% to 40%, or 20% to 40%, or 22% to 40%, or 22% to 35%, or 25%         to 40%, or 25% to 35%, or 27% to 33%, or 28% to 32%, or 30% to         32%, or about 30%, or about 31%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.27. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises one or more of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene         glycol/polypropylene glycol random copolymer, polyethylene         glycol, and alkali metal polyphosphates;     -   1.28. Composition 1.27, wherein the Composition further         comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone;     -   1.29. Composition 1.28, wherein the polyvinylpyrrolidone is         cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone;     -   1.30. Composition 1.28 or 1.29, wherein the polyvinylpyrrolidone         is not complexed with or combined with hydrogen peroxide;     -   1.31. Any of Compositions 1.28-1.30, wherein the Composition         comprises the polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount of 1 to 50%, or         1 to 40%, or 1 to 30%, or 1 to 25%, or 1 to 22%, or 1 to 20%, or         1 to 18%, or 1 to 15%, or 1 to 12%, or 1 to 10%, or 1 to 8%, or         1 to 6%, or 3 to 15%, or 3 to 12%, or 3 to 10%, or 3 to 8%, or 3         to 6%, or 4 to 8%, or 4 to 6%, or about 5%, by weight of the         composition;     -   1.32. Any of Compositions 1.27-1.31, wherein the Composition         further comprises a polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol         random copolymer (PEG/PPG copolymer);     -   1.33. Composition 1.32, wherein the PEG/PPG random copolymer has         an average molar ratio of ethylene glycol units (EG) to         propylene glycol units (PG) of about 75-150 EG to 45-95 PG, or         about 95-135 EG to 50 to 80 PG, or about 105-125 EG to 55-75 PG,         or about 110-120 EG to 60-70 PG, or about 116 EG to 66 PG (i.e.,         PEG/PPG 116/66);     -   1.34. Composition 1.32 wherein the PEG/PPG random copolymer is         Pluracare L1220;     -   1.35. Any of Compositions 1.32-1.34, wherein the Composition         comprises the PEG/PPG random copolymer in an amount of 1 to 50%,         or 1 to 40%, or 1 to 30%, or 1 to 25%, or 1 to 20%, or 1 to 18%,         or 1 to 15%, or 1 to 12%, or 1 to 10%, or 6 to 40%, or 6 to 30%,         or 6 to 25%, or 6 to 20%, or 6 to 15%, or 6 to 10%, or 8 to 30%,         or 8 to 25%, or 8 to 20%, or 8 to 15%, or 8 to 12%, or 10 to         30%, or 10 to 25%, or 10 to 20%, or 10 to 15%, or 10 to 12%, or         about 10%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.36. Any of Compositions 1.27-1.35, wherein the Composition         further comprises polyethylene glycol;     -   1.37. Composition 1.36, wherein the polyethylene glycol is         selected from the group consisting of PEG-200, PEG-300, PEG-400,         PEG-500, PEG-600, PEG-800, PEG- 1000, PEG-1600, and PEG-2000;     -   1.38. Composition 1.37, wherein the polyethylene glycol is PEG         600;     -   1.39. Any of Compositions 1.36-1.38, wherein the Composition         comprises the polyethylene glycol in an amount of 1 to 50%, or 1         to 40%, or 1 to 30%, or 1 to 25%, or 1 to 20%, or 1 to 18%, or 1         to 15%, or 5 to 40%, or 5 to 30%, or 5 to 25%, or 5 to 20%, or 5         to 15%, or 8 to 40%, or 8 to 30%, or 8 to 25%, or 8 to 20%, or 8         to 15%, or 10 to 30%, or 10 to 25%, or 10 to 20%, or 10 to 15%,         or 12 to 25%, or 12 to 20%, or 12 to 15%, or about 12% (e.g.,         about 12.5%), by weight of the composition;     -   1.40. Any preceding composition, wherein the Composition further         comprise one or more additional polymers, such as, any one or         more of: polypropylene glycols, polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose         derivatives, for example carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl         cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose,         microcrystalline cellulose; or polysaccharide gums, for example         xanthan gum, guar gum, or carrageenan gum, pectins, karaya gum);         chitosans; dextrans; hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronates;         synthetic anionic polymeric polycarboxylates, such as copolymers         of maleic anhydride or acid with another polymerizable         ethylenically unsaturated monomer, preferably methyl vinyl ether         (e.g., copolymers in a 1:4 to 4:1 ratio of maleic anhydride/acid         to methyl vinyl ether); polyphosphonic acids and         polyphosphonates (i.e., polyphosphoesters); cross-linked         carboxyvinyl copolymers; polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate         polymers (e.g. carbomers); polyacrylamides, such as         (2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide; other         polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers (PEG-PPG) tri-block         copolymers, such as poloxamer 105, 108, 122, 123, 124, 182, 183,         184, 185, 188, 212, 215, 217, 234, 235, 237, 238, 288, 333, 334,         335, 338, 402, 403, or 407); PEG-PPG tetrablock copolymers;         other PEG/PPG random copolymers, such as PEG/PPG-38/8;         polyamines; polyvinyl alcohols; polyoxazolines, such as         poly(2-alkyl oxazolines), e.g., methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl         substituted polyoxazolines; and quaternary ammonium polymers;     -   1.41. Composition 1, or any of Compositions 1.1-1.40, wherein         the Composition does not comprise any one or more of:         polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate polymers (PAA),         polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymers (PVP-VA),         polyoxazoline polymers (PO), and mixtures thereof;     -   1.42. Composition 1, or any of Compositions 1.1-1.41, wherein         the Composition comprises 30 to 70% by weight of polymers (e.g.,         PEG/PPG random copolymer, PEG/PPG triblock copolymer, PVP, and         PEG), e.g., 30 to 60% by weight, or 40 to 60% by weight, or 50         to 60% by weight, or 55 to 60% by weight, or 55 to 59% by         weight, or 58 to 59% by weight;     -   1.43. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises a polyphosphate or an organic cyclic polyphosphate,         such as an alkali metal pyrophosphate, an alkali metal         tripolyphosphate, an alkali metal tetraphosphate, an alkali         metal hexametaphosphate, an alkali metal insoluble         metaphosphate, an alkali metal phytic acid salt, or a mixture         thereof;     -   1.44. Composition 1.43, wherein the Composition comprises a         sodium or potassium pyrophosphate, a sodium or potassium         tripolyphosphate, a sodium or potassium tetraphosphate, a sodium         or potassium phytic acid salt, or a mixture thereof;     -   1.45. Composition 1.43 wherein the Composition comprises a         tetra-alkali metal pyrophosphate, e.g., tetrasodium or         tetrapotassium pyrophosphate;     -   1.46. Composition 1.43, wherein the Composition comprises a         di-alkali metal pyrophosphate, e.g., disodium pyrophosphate or         dipotassium pyrophosphate;     -   1.47. Composition 1.44, wherein the Composition comprises a         tetra-alkali metal pyrophosphate and a di-alkali metal         pyrophosphate, e.g., tetrasodium pyrophosphate and disodium         pyrophosphate;     -   1.48. Any of Compositions 1.43-1.47, wherein the Composition         comprises from 0.1 to 5% by weight of polyphosphates, e.g., 0.5         to 5%, or 1% to 5%, or 2% to 5%, or 3 to 5%, or 3.5% to 5%, or         4% to 5%, or 3.5% to 4.5%, or about 4% by weight of         polyphosphates, optionally 1-5% or 2-4% of a tetra-alkali metal         pyrophosphate and 0.5-2% of a di-alkali metal pyrophosphate,         e.g., about 3% tetrasodium pyrophosphate and about 1% disodium         pyrophosphate;     -   1.49. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises one or more additional surfactants, e.g., anionic         surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic, amphoteric, and/or         zwitterionic surfactants;     -   1.50. Composition 1.49, wherein said anionic surfactants are         selected from: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate,         sodium myreth sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium         coconut monoglyceride sulfonates, sodium lauryl benzene         sulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, sodium N-methyl N-cocoyl         taurate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium dioctyl         sulfosuccinate, and sodium cocomonoglyceride sulfate, and         ammonium analogs thereof;     -   1.51. Composition 1.49, wherein said zwitterionic surfactants         are selected from:

cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl sultaine, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl sultaine, lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine, oleamidopropyl betaine, oleamidopropyl sultaine, oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, tallowamideopropyl betaine, tallowamidopropyl sultaine, tallowamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauryl betaine, lauryl sultaine, lauryl hydroxysultaine, lauryldimethylamine oxide, and myristamine oxide;

-   -   1.52. Composition 1.49, wherein said cationic surfactants are         selected from: cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), cetrimonium         bromide, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride         (1-hexadecylcarbamoyl-ethyl)-trimethylammonium halide,         (1-hexadecylcarbamoyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-trimethylammonium halide,         1-hexadecylcarbamoyl-1,1-dimethyl-pyrrolidinium halide, and         [2-(1H-indole-3-yl)-1-hexadecylcarbamoyl-ethyl)]-trimethylammonium         halide, wherein said halide is optionally chloride, fluoride or         bromide, or lauroyl arginine, ethyl lauroyl arginine ester         hydrochloride, or disodium sebacoyl bis-lauramidolysine;     -   1.53. Composition 1.49, wherein said non-ionic surfactants are         selected from: cocomonoethanolamide, cocodiethanolamide,         laurylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide, myristylamidopropyl         dimethylamine oxide, and decyl glucoside;     -   1.54. Any of Compositions 1.49-1.53, wherein the Composition         comprises a total amount of 0.1 to 5% of surfactants, e.g., 0.5%         to 5%, or 1 to 5%, or 1.5 to 5%, or 2 to 5%, or 3 to 5%, or 4 to         5%, or 1 to 4%, or 2 to 4%, or 3 to 4%, or 2 to 5%, or 3 to 5%,         or 1 to 3%, or 2 to 3%, or 2 to 2.5%, or 2.5 to 3%, or 2.25 to         2.75%, or 2.25 to 2.5%, or about 2.3%, by weight of the         composition;     -   1.55. Any of Compositions 1.49-1.54, wherein the Composition         comprises any one or more surfactants in an individual amount of         0.1 to 5%, e.g., 0.1% to 4%, or 0.1 to 3%, or 0.1 to 2.5%, or         0.1 to 2%, or 0.1 to 1.5%, or 0.1 to 1%, or 0.1 to 0.5%, or 1 to         4%, or 2 to 4%, 1 to 3%, or 2 to 3%, or 1.5 to 2.5%, or 2 to         2.5%, or about 0.3% or about 2%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.56. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises an antioxidant, e.g., selected from butylated         hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, vitamin A,         carotenoids, vitamin E, flavonoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid,         and mixtures thereof;     -   1.57. Composition 1.56, wherein the antioxidant is butylated         hydroxyanisole or butylated hydroxytoluene;     -   1.58. Composition 1.57, wherein the antioxidant is butylated         hydroxytoluene;     -   1.59. Any of Compositions 1.56-1.58, wherein the Composition         comprises any one or more antioxidants in an individual amount         of 0.001 to 1%, e.g., 0.01% to 0.5%, or 0.01 to 0.3%, or 0.01 to         0.1%, or 0.01 to 0.05%, or about 0.03%, by weight of the         composition;     -   1.60. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises a thickening agent, e.g., magnesium aluminum silicate,         or fumed silica, optionally in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by weight         of the composition, e.g., 1 to 10%, or 2.5 to 10%, or 3 to 10%,         or 2.5 to 7.5%, or 3 to 8%, or 3 to 6%, or 3 to 5%, or about 4%,         by weight of the composition;     -   1.61. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises a fluoride source;     -   1.62. Composition 1.61, wherein the fluoride source is selected         from sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, and stannous         fluoride, or mixtures thereof;     -   1.63. Composition 1.61 or 1.62, wherein the Composition         comprises 0.1 to 5% of fluoride source(s) by weight of the         composition, e.g., 0.5 to 5%, or 0.5 to 3%, or 0.5 to 2%, or 0.5         to 1%, or about 0.75%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.64. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises an additional abrasive (i.e., in addition to calcium         pyrophosphate and/or the insoluble sodium metaphosphate),         optionally wherein the Composition does not comprise a hydrated         silica or precipitated silica abrasive (e.g., synthetic         high-cleaning silica);     -   1.65. Composition 1.64, wherein the additional abrasive is         selected from silica (e.g., hydrated silica, precipitated         silica), calcium carbonate, calcium orthophosphate, dicalcium         orthophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, and arginine carbonate,         e.g., in an amount of 0.1 to 10%, or 0.1 to 5%, or 1 to 5%, or         2.5 to 5%;     -   1.66. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises a desensitizing agent, e.g., in an amount from 0.1 to         5% by weight, such as potassium nitrate;     -   1.67. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises an enamel strengthening agent, e.g., in an amount from         0.1 to 5% by weight, such as zinc phosphate;     -   1.68. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises one or more of flavors and sweeteners, e.g., in an         amount of 0.1 to 5%, or 0.5 to 5%, or 1 to 5%, or 2 to 5%, or 2         to 3%;     -   1.69. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition is         substantially anhydrous (e.g., less than 4%, or less than 3%, or         less than 2%, or less than 1% water by weight of the         composition);     -   1.70. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition does         not comprise any acetate esters, for example, wherein the         Composition does not comprise any of: triacetin, glyceryl         acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, ethylene glycol diacetate,         and diethylene glycol diacetate;     -   1.71. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition does         not comprise any humectants, for example, wherein the         Composition does not comprise any of glycerol, propylene glycol,         sorbitol, or xylitol;     -   1.72. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.71, wherein the composition         comprises 1 to 3% of sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.1 to 0.5% of         cocamidopropyl betaine, by weight of the composition;     -   1.73. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.71, wherein the composition         comprises 1.5 to 2.5% of sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.2 to 0.4%         of cocamidopropyl betaine, by weight of the composition;     -   1.74. Composition 1, or any of 1.1-1.71, wherein the composition         comprises about 2% of sodium lauryl sulfate, and about 0.3% of         cocamidopropyl betaine, by weight of the composition;     -   1.75. Composition 1, or any of Compositions 1.1-1.74, wherein         the Composition comprises sodium lauryl sulfate and         cocamidopropyl betaine in a weight ratio of about 8:1 to 5:1,         e.g., about 6:1;     -   1.76. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition         comprises the potassium peroxymonosulfate in an amount of 1% to         5%, and the composition is stabilized by a combination of 20-40%         calcium pyrophosphate and 25-50% of a         polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer having the         formula

HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H,

-   -    wherein an integer between 10 and 12 (e.g., 11), and b is an         integer between 15 and 20 (e.g., 16), e.g., the polymer is         Pluronic L35, each by weight of the composition;     -   1.77. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition         comprises the potassium peroxymonosulfate in an amount of 1% to         3%, and the composition is stabilized by a combination of 20-30%         calcium pyrophosphate and 25-35% of a         polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer having the         formula

HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H,

-   -    wherein an integer between 10 and 12 (e.g., 11), and b is an         integer between 15 and 20 (e.g., 16), e.g., the polymer is         Pluronic L35, each by weight of the composition;     -   1.78. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount of 1 to 10%, and         PEG/PPG random copolymer having an average molar ratio of         ethylene glycol units (EG) to propylene glycol units (PG) of         about 105-125 EG to 55-75 PG (e.g., Pluracare L1220 polymer) in         an amount of 6 to 15%, and polyethylene glycol 600 in an amount         of 5 to 20%, each by weight of the composition;     -   1.79. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises 2% to 5% tetrasodium pyrophosphate and 0.5 to 1.5%         disodium pyrophosphate, by weight of the composition;     -   1.80. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition further         comprises a blue dye or pigment, e.g., Blue 15 pigment (also         known as CI 74160), optionally in an amount of 0.001 to 0.1% by         weight of the composition, e.g., 0.01 to 0.08%, or 0.03 to         0.07%, or about 0.05%, by weight of the composition;     -   1.81. Composition 1 or any of 1.1-1.80, wherein the Composition         comprises or consists of:

Ingredient Weight % Potassium peroxymonosulfate 0.1-5% (e.g., about 1%) Calcium pyrophosphate 21-30% (e.g., about 25%) PEG/PPG triblock copolymer 25-35% (e.g., 30-32% or (e.g., Pluronic L35) about 31%) Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1-15% (e.g., about 5%) PEG-PPG random copolymer 6-15% (e.g., about 10%) (e.g., PEG/PPG-116/66) Polyethylene glycol (e.g., PEG 10-20% (e.g., about 600) 12.5%) Polyphosphate (e.g., tetrasodium 2.5-5% (e.g., about 4%) and disodium pyrophosphates) Anionic Surfactant (e.g., sodium 1-5% (e.g., about 2%) lauryl sulfate) Zwitterionic Surfactant (e.g., 0.1-1% (e.g., about 0.3%) cocamidopropyl betaine) Fluoride source (e.g., sodium 0.1 to 2% (e.g., about monofluorophosphate) 0.76% or 1.1%) Antioxidant (e.g., BHT) 0 to 0.3% (e.g., 0 or about 0.03%) Thickener (e.g., fumed silica) 2.5-5% (e.g., about 4%) Sweeteners and Flavors 0.5-5% (e.g., 3-3.5%) Blue pigment or dye (e.g., Blue 0.001 to 0.1% (e.g., 15) about 0.05%) Total ca. 100

-   -   1.82. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition is a         dentifrice, e.g., a toothpaste or a tooth gel;     -   1.83. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition has the         consistency of a paste or gel (e.g., not a free-flowing liquid         and not a solid, such as a solid powder or pellets);     -   1.84. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition has a         squeeze pressure of 0.03 to 0.2 bar, e.g., 0.03 to 0.15 bar, or         0.03 to 0.10 bar, or 0.03 to 0.07 bar, or 0.04 to 0.06 bar, or         about 0.05 bar;     -   1.85. Any preceding Composition, wherein the Composition has a         viscosity (measured at 1 rpm) of 50,000 to 300,000 cP, e.g.,         100,000 to 300,000 cP, or 150,000 to 250,000 cP, or 175,000 to         225,000 cP, or about 200,000 cP;     -   1.86. Any preceding Composition, wherein after up to 3 months of         aging at 40° C./65% relative humidity, the Composition retains a         squeeze pressure below 0.1 bar and/or a viscosity (at 1 rpm)         below 300,000 cP;     -   1.87. Any preceding composition, wherein the composition has a         foam volume of at least 100 mL after stirring at 4000 rpm for         120 seconds, e.g., at least 120 mL, or at least 130 mL, or at         least 140 mL;     -   1.88. Any preceding composition, wherein the composition forms a         foam having a bubble size (R₃₂) of not more than 50 μm after         stirring at 4000 rpm for 120 seconds, e.g., less than 45 μm.

Potassium peroxymonosulfate (also known as MPS, KMPS, potassium monopersulfate, or potassium monoperoxysulfate) is commercially available as Caroat® or Oxone®, both of which are a triple salt of potassium peroxymonosulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate (2KHSO₅·KHSO₄·K₂SO₄).

Potassium peroxymonosulfate has limited stability in aqueous solutions and can be destabilized by other common toothpaste ingredients, even small amounts of water. Therefore, contact with water during processing and storage should be avoided or minimized. The compositions are preferably packaged in a moisture free environment.

As used herein, the term “insoluble sodium metaphosphate” is used to refer to the insoluble polymeric sodium metaphosphate, which has the empirical formula [NaPO₃]_(n), also known as “Maddrell's Salt.” This is a highly useful abrasive, which is insoluble in water and has a low capacity for releasing phosphate ion into solution. It has a high molecular weight, with values of n up to 2000. It is distinct from such soluble species as trisodium orthophosphate (Na₃PO₄), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (Na₄P₂O₇), pentasodium tripolyphosphate (Na₅P₃O₁₀), hexasodium tetraphosphate (Na₆P₄O₁₃), sodium trimetaphosphate (Na₃[(PO₃)₃)]), or sodium hexametaphosphate (Na₆[(PO₃)₆)]), all of which are water soluble and prone to hydrolysis under aqueous conditions to provide orthophosphate anion.

The compositions of the present disclosure contain no water or have a low water content. As used herein, the term “low water content” means the total concentration of water, including any free water and all water contained in any ingredients. In various embodiments of the composition, the amount of water is in an amount of less than 4% by weight, or less than 3% by weight, or less than 2% by weight, or less than 1% by weight, or less than 0.5% by weight, or less than 0.1%, or about 0.0001% to about 4% by weight, or about 0.0001% to about 0.5% by weight or about 0.0001% to about 0.1% by weight.

The amount of potassium peroxymonosulfate in the compositions of the invention is effective to result in improved tooth whitening when used once or twice daily for about three months as compared to a control composition without the peroxymonosulfate salt. The amount of peroxymonosulfate salt typically is about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, preferably about 1 wt. % or 2 wt. %.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure contain a buffering agent. Examples of buffering agents include anhydrous carbonates such as sodium carbonate, sesquicarbonates, bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, silicates, bisulfates, phosphates such as monopotassium phosphate and dipotassium phosphate, citrates, pyrophosphates (sodium and potassium salts) and combinations thereof. The amount of buffering agent is sufficient to provide a pH of about 5 to about 9, preferable about 6 to about 8, and more preferable about 7, when the strip is hydrated. Typical amounts of buffering agent are about 0.1% to about 5%, in one embodiment about 1% to about 3%, in another embodiment about 0.5% to about 1%, by weight of the total composition.

The compositions of the present disclosure comprise a poloxamer, which is a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer. The term “poloxamer” or “poloxamer copolymer” refers to a nonionic triblock copolymer composed of a central hydrophobic chain of polyoxypropylene units (a.k.a. poly(propylene oxide) units) flanked by two hydrophilic chains of polyoxyvethylene units (e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) units). Poloxamers have the following chemical structure:

HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H,

wherein a and b are integers, each typically between 10 and 200. Poloxaniers are named according to common conventions based on their molecular weight and ethoxy content, and include poloxamer 407, poloxamer 338, poloxamer 237, poloxamer 188 and poloxamer 124. Pluronic is the name of a line of poloxamer polymers manufactured by BASF. For example, Pluronic F-127 is poloxamer 407. Poloxamers are distinguished from other polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol copolymers (PEG/PPO copolymers or EO/PO copolymers) which have a structure other than as a triblock structure, such as a random copolymer structure. Such copolymers that are distinct from poloxamers include the PEG/PPG copolymers sold by BASF as the Pluracareg and Pluraflo® series polymers, which are random PEG/PPG copolymers.

For example, suitable poloxamers may include one or more of Pluronic® L35, Pluronic® L43, Pluronic® L64, Pluronic® L10, Pluronic® L44, Pluronic® L62, Pluronic® 10R5, Pluronic® 17R4, Pluronic® L25R4, Pluronic® P84, Pluronic® P65, Pluronic® PI 04, and Pluronic® PI 05. Pluronic® brand dispersants are commercially available from BASF, Florham Park, N.J.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure may comprise polyvinylpyrrolidone (optionally cross-linked), also known as poly-N-vinyl-poly-2-pyrrolidone, and commonly abbreviated to “PVP” (optionally cross-linked PVP). PVP generally refers to a polymer containing vinylpyrrolidone (also referred to as N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) as a monomeric unit. The monomeric unit may include a polar imide group, four non-polar methylene groups, and a non-polar methane group. Cross-linked PVP includes those commercially available as KOLLIDON® and LUVICROSS®, marketed by BASF, Mount Olive, N.J., USA; and POLYPLASDO E® INF-10, marketed by, Ashland, Covington, Ky., USA.

The compositions of the present disclosure can optionally contain whitening (oxidizing) agents in addition to the potassium peroxymonosulfate, but preferably no other whitening agents are included. Whitening agents are generally materials which are effective to provide whitening of a tooth surface to which it is applied via oxidative action, and include agents such as hydrogen peroxide and urea peroxide. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure may optionally comprise a peroxide whitening agent, comprising a peroxide compound, but preferably no peroxide whitening agents or no peroxide compounds are included. A peroxide compound is an oxidizing compound comprising a bivalent oxygen-oxygen group. Peroxide compounds include peroxides and hydroperoxides, such as hydrogen peroxide, peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, organic peroxy compounds, peroxy acids, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. Peroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals include lithium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, and mixtures thereof. Organic peroxy compounds include carbamide peroxide (also known as urea hydrogen peroxide), glyceryl hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydrogen peroxides, dialkyl peroxides, alkyl peroxy acids, peroxy esters, diacyl peroxides, benzoyl peroxide, and monoperoxyphthalate, and mixtures thereof. Peroxy acids and their salts include organic peroxy acids such as alkyl peroxy acids, and monoperoxyphthalate and mixtures thereof, as well as inorganic peroxy acid salts such as persulfate, dipersulfate, percarbonate, perphosphate, perborate and persilicate salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals such as lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and barium, and mixtures thereof. In various embodiments, the peroxide compound comprises hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the peroxide compound comprises hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the peroxide compound consists essentially of hydrogen peroxide. In some embodiments, the compositions may comprise a non-peroxide whitening agent. Whitening agents among those useful herein include non-peroxy compounds, such as chlorine dioxide, chlorites and hypochlorites. Chlorites and hypochlorites include those of alkali and alkaline earth metals such as lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and barium. One or more additional whitening agents are optionally present in a tooth-whitening effective total amount. In some embodiments the compositions additionally comprise an activator, e.g., tetraacetylethylenediamine. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are free of all of the above enumerated additional whitening agents.

In some embodiments, the compositions may comprise a non-oxidative whitening agent. Non-oxidative whitening agents include colorants, such as titanium dioxide and blue pigment or dye, and hydroxyapatite. These agents cause a whiter appearance of the teeth through masking or covering stains, but not chemically removing or destroying the stains.

The compositions of the present disclosure optionally can also include other ingredients, e.g., flavor agents; fillers; surfactants; preservatives, e.g., sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate; color agents including, e.g., dyes and pigments; and sweeteners. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more surfactants, such as anionic, cationic, zwitterionic or non-ionic surfactants.

As used herein, “anionic surfactant” means those surface-active or detergent compounds that contain an organic hydrophobic group containing generally 8 to 26 carbon atoms or generally 10 to 18 carbon atoms in their molecular structure and at least one water-solubilizing group selected from sulfonate, sulfate, and carboxylate so as to form a water-soluble detergent. Usually, the hydrophobic group will comprise a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, or acyl group. Such surfactants are employed in the form of water-soluble salts and the salt-forming cation usually is selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and mono-, di- or tri-C₂-C₃ alkanolammonium, with the sodium, magnesium and ammonium cations again being the usual ones chosen. Some examples of suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and ethanolammonium salts of linear C₈-C₁₈ alkyl ether sulfates, ether sulfates, and salts thereof. Suitable anionic ether sulfates have the formula R(OC₂H₄)_(n) OSO₃M wherein n is 1 to 12, or 1 to 5, and R is an alkyl, alkylaryl, acyl, or alkenyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, for example, an alkyl group of C₁₂-C₁₄ or C₁₂-C_(16,) and M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and mono-, di- and triethanol ammonium ions. Exemplary alkyl ether sulfates contain 12 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups thereof, e.g., sodium laureth (2 EO) sulfate. Some preferred exemplary anionic surfactants that may be used in the compositions of the present disclosure include sodium laurel ether sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate. In certain embodiments, the anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0%, 0.1 to 2.0%, 0.2 to 0.4%, or about 0.33%.

As used herein, “nonionic surfactant” generally refers to compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound which may be aliphatic or alkyl-aromatic in nature. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include poloxamers (sold under trade name PLURONIC®), polyoxyethylene, polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters (sold under trade name TWEENS®), Polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, products derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine, ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols, alkyl polyglycosides (for example, fatty alcohol ethers of polyglycosides, such as fatty alcohol ethers of polyglucosides, e.g., decyl, lauryl, capryl, caprylyl, myristyl, stearyl and other ethers of glucose and polyglucoside polymers, including mixed ethers such as capryl/caprylyl (C₈₋₁₀) glucoside, coco (C₈₋₁₆) glucoside, and lauryl (C₁₂₋₁₆) glucoside), long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides, long chain dialkyl sulfoxides, and mixtures of such materials.

In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant comprises amine oxides, fatty acid amides, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, glycerol alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ethers, sorbitan alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. Examples of amine oxides include, but are not limited to, laurylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide, myristylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide, and mixtures thereof. Examples of fatty acid amides include, but are not limited to, cocomonoethanolamide, lauramide monoethanolamide, cocodiethanolamide, and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is a combination of an amine oxide and a fatty acid amide. In certain embodiments, the amine oxide is a mixture of laurylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide and myristylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide. In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is a combination of lauryl/myristylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide and cocomonoethanolamide. In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0%, 0.1 to 2.0%, 0.1 to 0.6%, 0.2 to 0.4%, about 0.2%, or about 0.5%.

As used herein, the term “cationic surfactant” includes the cationic surfactants disclosed in WO 2007/011552A2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Examples of the surfactant that can be used are sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Polysorbate 80 or Tween 80), polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene glycerol fatty acid ester. In the present invention, each of them may be used solely or two or more thereof may be used jointly. Typical amounts of surfactant are about 0.1% to about 3%, in one embodiment about 0.1% to about 2%, in another embodiment about 0.1% to about 1%, by weight of the total composition.

Examples of the filler are crystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose, dextrin, various kinds of cyclodextrin (α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin and γ-cyclodextrin), sodium sulfate, as well as derivatives thereof and pullulan.

Useful flavor agents include natural and synthetic flavoring sources including, e.g., volatile oils, synthetic flavor oils, flavoring aromatics, oils, liquids, oleoresins and extracts derived from plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, stems and combinations thereof. Suitable flavor agents include, e.g., citric oils, e.g., lemon, orange, grape, lime and grapefruit, fruit essences including, e.g., apple, pear, peach, grape, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, pineapple, apricot, and other fruit flavors. Other useful flavor agents include, e.g., aldehydes and esters (e.g., benzaldehyde (cherry, almond)), citral, i.e., alpha-citral (lemon, lime), neral, i.e., beta-citral (lemon, lime), decanal (orange, lemon), aldehyde C-8 (citrus fruits), aldehyde C-9 (citrus fruits), aldehyde C-12 (citrus fruits), tolyl aldehyde (cherry, almond), 2,6-dimethyloctanal (green fruit), 2-dodedenal (citrus, mandarin) and mixtures thereof.

Suitable coloring agents include, e.g., food, drug and cosmetic (FD&C) colors including, e.g., dyes, lakes, and certain natural and derived colorants. Useful lakes include dyes absorbed on aluminum hydroxide and other suitable carriers.

Suitable sweetening agents include stevia, sugars such as sucrose, glucose, invert sugar, fructose, ribose, tagalose, sucralose, maltitol, erythritol, xylitol, and mixtures thereof, saccharin and its various salts (e.g., sodium and calcium salt of saccharin), cyclamic acid and its various salts, dipeptide sweeteners (e.g., aspartame), acesulfame potassium, dihydrochalcone, glycyrrhizin, and sugar alcohols including, e.g., sorbitol, sorbitol syrup, mannitol and xylitol, and combinations thereof.

It is understood that while general attributes of each of the above categories of materials may differ, there may be some common attributes and any given material may serve multiple purposes within two or more of such categories of materials. All of the ingredients in the compositions may have functions in addition to their primary function, and may contribute to the overall properties of the composition, including its stability, efficacy, consistency, mouthfeel, taste, odor and so forth. For example, a binder may also function as a disintegrating agent and vice versa.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for whitening teeth comprising the steps of (a) applying Composition 1, or any of 1.1 et seq., to the teeth, and (b) maintaining contact of the composition with the teeth for a sufficient period of time (e.g., 0.1 to 60 minutes, or 0.1 to 30 minutes, or 0.1 to 10 minutes, or 0.1 to 5 minutes, or 0.1 to 2 minutes, or 0.1 to 1 minute) to effect whitening of the teeth contacted by the composition. In some embodiments, the composition may be applied using a toothbrush, and the composition maintained in contact with the teeth by using a brushing action. In some embodiments, the composition may be applied to the teeth using a dental tray, and the composition maintained in contact with the teeth by placement of the dental tray in the mouth until whitening is complete.

In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides for the use Composition 1, or any of 1.1 et seq., or any other embodiments thereof, for the whitening of the teeth.

EXAMPLES

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be illustrated by reference to the following examples, which are included to exemplify, but not to limit the scope of the present invention.

In the examples and elsewhere in the description of the invention, chemical symbols and terminology have their usual and customary meanings. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius unless otherwise indicated. The amounts of the components are in weight percent based on the standard described; if no other standard is described then the total weight of the composition is to be inferred. Various names of chemical components include those listed in the CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc., 7^(th) ed. 1997).

Example 1: Exemplary MPS-Based Whitening Dentifrice

Potassium peroxymonosulfate is combined with calcium pyrophosphate, and other excipients and mixed to provide a homogenous product.

The compositions may have a formula as follows:

Ingredient Weight % Potassium peroxymonosulfate 0.1-5% (e.g., 1%) Calcium pyrophosphate 20-30% (e.g., 25%) PEG/PPG triblock copolymer 25-35% (e.g., 31%) (e.g., Pluronic L35) Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1-15% (e.g., 5%) PEG-PPG random copolymer 6-15% (e.g., 10%) (e.g., PEG/PPG-116/66) Polyethylene glycol (e.g., PEG 10-20% (e.g., 12.5%) 600) Polyphosphate (e.g., sodium 2.5-5% (e.g., 4%) pyrophosphates) Anionic Surfactant (e.g., sodium 1-5% (e.g., 2%) lauryl sulfate) Zwitterionic Surfactant (e.g., 0.1-1% (e.g., 0.3%) cocamidopropyl betaine) Fluoride source (e.g., sodium 0.1 to 2% (e.g., 0.75%) monofluorophosphate) Antioxidant (e.g., BHT) 0.01 to 0.3% (e.g., 0.03%) Thickener (e.g., fumed silica) 2.5-5% (e.g., 4%) Sweeteners and Flavors 0.5-5% Blue pigment or dye (e.g., Blue 0.001 to 0.1% (e.g., 15) about 0.05%) Total ca. 100

Testing of the formulas within the scope of the disclosure demonstrates that they provide improved stability and retained active oxygen activity compared to comparative formulas not within the scope of the present disclosure.

Example 2: Synergistic Effect Between SLS and CAPB on Foaming Properties

Foaming properties are measured by using a Dynamic Foam Analyzer (DFA) from Kruss. The DFA is equipped with a cylinder with a prism attached on one side, which allows for measuring bubble size and bubble counts on the cylinder surface. 50 mL of each toothpaste slurry is made by mixing a toothpaste sample and water at a 1:3 weight ratio immediately before the test. The slurries are delivered to the DFA cylinder. To measure foaming speed, the flash foam test is run. In this test, as the foam height cannot be measured during stirring, stirring occasionally stops to measure foam height in the middle of foam growth. In detail, the slurries are stirred at 4000 rpm for 10 seconds, and stirring stopped for 15 seconds during which foam height is measured. This stir-stop sequence is repeated 12 times. After this flash foam test, the slurries remain unagitated for another 20 seconds, and the final foam height, bubble size and bubble count are measured. Bubble count is determined as both areal count (bubbles per square millimeter on a flat surface and volume count (bubbles per cubic millimeter). The test is repeated in triplicate for each composition tested. The analysis is performed using the Advance software by Kruss.

Composition A is an MPS-whitening toothpaste according to the present disclosure, and for comparison, Compositions B and C are prepared, which correspond to Composition A except without CAPB (Comp. B) or without SLS (Comp. C). Composition D is commercial fluoride dental cream for comparison. The formulations of the compositions are shown in the Table below (all values are percent by weight of the composition):

Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Ingredient A B C. D Potassium peroxymonosulfate* 1.0%  1.0%   1.0% — Calcium pyrophosphate 25%  20%  25% — Dicalcium phosphate — — — 44% PEG/PPG triblock copolymer 31%  32%  34% — Polyvinylpyrrolidone 5% 13%   5% — PEG-PPG random copolymer 10%  10%  10% — Polyethylene glycol (e.g., 12.5%   12% 12.5% — PEG 600) Glycerin — — — 22% Tetrasodium pyrophosphate 3%  3%   3% 0.25%  Disodium pyrophosphate 1%  1%   1% — Sodium lauryl sulfate 2%  2% —  5% Cocamidopropyl betaine 0.3%  —  0.3% — Sodium monofluorophosphate 0.76%   0.76%  0.76% 0.76%  Antioxidant 0.03%   0.04%  0.03% — Thickener 4%  3%   4% 1.1%  Sweeteners and Flavors 3.35%   1.1%  2.15% 1.0%  Water — — — 26% Total ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 *provided as 2.2 wt. % Caroat (45 wt. % potassium monoperoxysulfate)

The results of the testing are shown in the following Tables:

Foam volume (mL) versus stirring time* Time (s) Comp. A Comp. B Comp. C. Comp. D 10 97 69 70 104 20 116 75 71 114 30 125 76 75 118 40 131 77 74 118 50 133 82 75 118 60 137 84 77 119 70 140 83 78 122 80 143 86 80 117 90 142 84 78 118 100 142 87 80 117 110 141 86 80 117 130 143 82 75 117 140 143 81 69 116 *Stirring is stopped at 120 seconds

Bubble Properties at 140 Seconds Property Comp. A Comp. B Comp. C. Comp. D Bubble size (R₃₂, μm) 39 51 70 53 Bubble count (per mm²) 384 360 239 310 Bubble count (per mm³) 4.9 × 10⁶ 3.5 × 10⁶ 1.7 × 10⁶ 2.9 × 10⁶

These results demonstrate that using the combination of an anionic surfactant (SLS) and a zwitterionic surfactant (CAPB) in an MPS-based anhydrous toothpaste provides significantly improved foaming properties compared to using anionic surfactant (SLS) or zwitterionic surfactant (CAPB)alone. For the synergistic combination, total foam volume is increased at all time points, and there is a much faster and substantial increase in foam volume. For example, between 10 seconds and 110 seconds, foam volume only increased by 25% for Composition B and by 14% for Composition C, but increased by 45% for Composition A. Moreover, most of that increase was achieved rapidly, the foam volume for Composition A increasing by 35% from 10 seconds to 40 seconds. In contrast, Compositions B and C gained only 11% and 6% in foam volume, respectively in that period, The results for Composition A are similarly much improved over the commercial toothpaste Composition D.

In addition, it is found that the individual bubble size is substantially smaller for the SLS/CAPB surfactant combination, resulting in a greater number of bubbles forming per unit area and per unit volume. These results lead to an improved mouthfeel when brushing the teeth with the composition.

Example 3: MPS Stability

To evaluate the effect of replacing calcium pyrophosphate abrasive with high cleaning silica abrasive, four compositions are prepared according to the following Table:

Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Ingredient A E F. G Potassium 1.0%  1.0%  1.0%  1.0% peroxymonosulfate* Calcium pyrophosphate 25%  15% — — Synthetic high cleaning silica — — 25%   50% PEG/PPG triblock copolymer 31%  36% 32%   25% Polyvinylpyrrolidone 5% 23% 4%  1% PEG-PPG random copolymer 10%   5% 10%   5% Polyethylene glycol (e.g., 12.5%   10% 12.5%   7.5% PEG 600) Tetrasodium pyrophosphate 3%  2% 3% 1.5% Disodium pyrophosphate 1% 0.9%  1% 0.5% Sodium lauryl sulfate 2%  2% 2%  2% Cocamidopropyl betaine 0.3%  — 0.3%  0.3% Sodium monofluorophosphate 0.76%   0.76%  0.76%   0.76%  Antioxidant 0.03%   — — — Thickener 4% 2.3%  4%  1% Sweeteners and Flavors 3.35%   0.54%  3.25%   3.25%  Total ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 *provided as 2.2 wt. % Caroat (45 wt. % potassium monoperoxysulfate)

The Compositions A, E, F, and G, are compared in an accelerated aging study. Samples are placed in tubes and stored at 60° C./75% RH (relative humidity) for 2 weeks. Active oxygen (AO) levels are determined initially, and at 1 week and 2 weeks, by iodometric titration. The results are shown in the table below:

Formula Initial AO AO at 1 week AO at 2 weeks Composition A 100% 94% 94% Composition E 100% 95% 92.3%   Composition F  95% 53% 41% Composition G 110% 44% 26%

The results demonstrate that Compositions A and E, which are stabilized by calcium pyrophosphate abrasive and PEG/PPG triblock copolymer, retain nearly full active oxygen through the 2 week study. In contrast, using high cleaning silica abrasive (Compositions F, G), there is a rapid loss in active oxygen, due to decomposition of the potassium monoperoxysulfate. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that trace heavy metals in precipitated silica (such as high-cleaning silica) promote catalytic decomposition of MPS (unlike fumed silica, which lacks such impurities). It is also noted that high cleaning silicas are more effective abrasives than calcium pyrophosphate (e.g., the RDA (relative dentin abrasivity) of high cleaning silica is about 160, but for calcium pyrophosphate it is about 90). Thus, this loss in abrasivity is a consequence of improving MPS stability.

Example 3: Rheology

Compositions A and E are compared using a Brookfield programmable viscometer during an aging study. All tests are performed with toothpastes in solid containers, 120 ml sample cups. The samples are stored for 2 or 3 months at 40° C./65% RH (relative humidity). A fresh spot is selected at least 1 cm from the wall of the jar and from spots of previous tests. The viscometer spindle is slowly lowered into the sample jar with as little disturbance of the sample as possible. Then the vane v74 spindle on the shaft of the viscometer is slowly lowered into the sample. A thixotropy loop test is performed according to the programmed software. Squeeze pressure (bar) is a measured to estimate the ability of a toothpaste or gel to be squeezed out of a tube. Acceptable squeeze pressures range from 0.03 to 0.1 bar, with about 0.05 bar being ideal. If the squeeze pressure is too low, the toothpaste will ooze out of the tube or be expelled from the tube too violently with gentle pressure. If the squeeze pressure is too high, the toothpaste will be too difficult to squeeze from the tube. Viscosity is measured at 1 rpm (in centipoise, cP). Viscosity for a toothpaste is preferably maintained during aging at 70,000 to 300,000 cP, most preferably at about 200,000 cP.

The results are shown in the table below (N.M.=not measurable, because the toothpaste could not be squeezed from the tube):

Initial 1 month 2 months 3 months Squeeze Pressure Composition A 0.048 0.052 0.052 0.057 Composition E 0.080 N.M. (>0.2 N.M. (>0.2 N.M. (>0.2 bar) bar) bar) Viscosity (1 rpm) Composition A 205,883 258,726 282,788 298,990 Composition E 368,676 N.M. N.M. N.M.

The results demonstrate that the compositions of the present invention retain stable rheological characteristics compared to similar compositions outside the scope of the present disclosure.

The invention has been described above with reference to illustrative Examples, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Alterations and modifications that would occur to one of skill in the art upon reading the specification are also within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. 

1. A tooth whitening oral care composition comprising potassium peroxymonosulfate, calcium pyrophosphate (Ca₂P₂O₇) and/or insoluble sodium metaphosphate ([NaPO₃]_(n)), an anionic surfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises the potassium peroxymonosulfate in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight of the composition.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the potassium peroxymonosulfate is the only oxidizing agent present in the composition.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is stabilized by calcium pyrophosphate (Ca₂P₂O₇).
 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the composition comprises the calcium pyrophosphate in an amount of 5 to 50% by weight of the composition, e.g., 10% to 50%, or 10% to 40%, or 15% to 40%, or 20% to 40%, or 21% to 40%, 22% to 40%, or 22 to 35%, or 25 to 40%, or 25 to 35%, or 25% to 30%, or 21 to 30%, or 22 to 30%, or 22.5% to 27.5%, or 23% to 27%, or 24% to 26%, or about 25%, by weight of the composition.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the zwitterionic surfactant is cocamidopropyl betaine.
 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate.
 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the composition comprises 2 to 4%, or 1 to 3%, or 2 to 3%, or 1.5 to 2.5%, or 2 to 2.5%, or about 2%, of sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.1 to 1%, or 0.1 to 0.5%, or about 0.3%, of cocamidopropyl betaine, by weight of the composition.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer.
 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer is a triblock copolymer having the formula HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H, wherein a is an integer between 1 and 30, b is an integer between 10 and
 60. 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol random copolymer, polyethylene glycol, alkali metal polyphosphates, and surfactants (e.g., anionic and/or zwitterionic surfactants).
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant, e.g., selected from butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin E, flavonoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and mixtures thereof.
 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises the potassium peroxymonosulfate in an amount of 1% to 5%, and the composition is stabilized by a combination of 20-40% calcium pyrophosphate and 25-50% of a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer having the formula HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H, wherein an integer between 10 and 12 (e.g., 11), and b is an integer between 15 and 20 (e.g., 16), e.g., the polymer is Pluronic L35, each by weight of the composition.
 14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises the potassium peroxymonosulfate in an amount of 1% to 3%, and the composition is stabilized by a combination of 20-30% calcium pyrophosphate and 25-35% of a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene triblock copolymer having the formula HO—[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)[—CH(CH₃)CH₂O—]_(b)[CH₂CH₂O]_(a)—H, wherein an integer between 10 and 12 (e.g., 11), and b is an integer between 15 and 20 (e.g., 16), e.g., the polymer is Pluronic L35, each by weight of the composition.
 15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount of 1 to 10%, and PEG/PPG random copolymer having an average molar ratio of ethylene glycol units (EG) to propylene glycol units (PG) of about 105-125 EG to 55-75 PG (e.g., Pluracare L1220 polymer) in an amount of 6 to 15%, and polyethylene glycol 600 in an amount of 5 to 20%, each by weight of the composition.
 16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises 2% to 5% tetrasodium pyrophosphate and 0.5 to 1.5% disodium pyrophosphate, by weight of the composition.
 17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a blue dye or pigment, e.g., Blue 15 pigment (also known as CI 74160), optionally in an amount of 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of the composition, e.g., 0.01 to 0.08%, or 0.03 to 0.07%, or about 0.05%, by weight of the composition.
 18. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: Ingredient Weight % Potassium peroxymonosulfate 0.1-5% (e.g., 1%) Calcium pyrophosphate 20-30% (e.g., 25%) PEG/PPG triblock copolymer 25-35% (e.g., 31%) (e.g., Pluronic L35) Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1-15% (e.g., 5%) PEG-PPG random copolymer 6-15% (e.g., 10%) (e.g., PEG/PPG-116/66) Polyethylene glycol (e.g., PEG 10-20% (e.g., 12.5%) 600) Polyphosphate (e.g., sodium 2.5-5% (e.g., 4%) pyrophosphates) Anionic Surfactant (e.g., sodium 1-5% (e.g., 2%) lauryl sulfate) Zwitterionic Surfactant (e.g., 0.1-1% (e.g., 0.3%) cocamidopropyl betaine) Fluoride source (e.g., sodium 0.1 to 2% (e.g., 0.75%) monofluorophosphate) Antioxidant (e.g., BHT) 0 to 0.3% (e.g., 0.03%) Thickener (e.g., fumed silica) 2.5-5% (e.g., 4%) Sweeteners and Flavors 0.5-5% Blue pigment or dye (e.g., Blue 15) 0.001 to 0.1% (e.g., about 0.05%) Total ca. 100


19. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is a dentifrice, e.g., a toothpaste or tooth gel.
 20. A method for whitening teeth comprising the steps of (a) applying a composition according to claim 1, to the teeth, and (b) maintaining contact of the composition with the teeth for a sufficient period of time (e.g., 0.1 to 60 minutes, or 0.1 to 30 minutes, or 0.1 to 10 minutes, or 0.1 to 5 minutes, or 0.1 to 2 minutes, or 0.1 to 1 minute) to effect whitening of the teeth contacted by the composition. 